Jon Jones Issues Apology to Fans, Stipe Miocic Following UFC 295 Withdrawal

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Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight champion Jon Jones is in good spirits despite suffering a serious injury requiring months of recovery.

Jones (27-1, 1 NC) is determined to make a return to the Octagon as soon as he can, after being forced out of his UFC 295 title fight with Stipe Miocic (20-4) due to a shoulder injury. About two and a half weeks before the highly anticipated heavyweight title attraction, UFC CEO Dana White announced that Jones had suffered a pectoral tear during a grappling session that would require surgery.

With Jones on the shelf for a prolonged period, the promotion elected to create an interim heavyweight strap. Vying for the newly created belt will be top contenders Tom Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich, who will be stepping up on extremely short notice in the co-main event of UFC 295. Jones (27-1) took to social media on Thursday to address his withdrawal, and apologize to his opponent as well as the fans.

“Thank you to everybody who’s checked in with me to see how I was feeling,” Jones said. “Obviously, a very sad situation…very upset. But I’ve been through a lot of things in life, and injuries [are] a part of being an athlete. I want to thank the UFC for getting me into one of the best doctors in the country, Dr. [Neal ElAttrache]. Thank you to Dr. ElAttrache and his staff members over here in California for seeing me so quick.”

Jones continued, “I wanted to say thank you to Stipe Miocic for all the work that he’s put in. Also, sorry to Stipe and his team. Like I said, this comes with the territory. [I’d like to] thank all my coaches and training partners, everyone who has helped me get this far – can’t even say get to the fight. But the goal is to get surgery tomorrow and get back to work as soon as possible. I guess it’ll be Stipe and I at a later date, and that’s my plan.”

As per the statement issued by White, Jones could possibly be out for eight months following surgery scheduled for Friday. Despite the uphill battle ahead, “Bones” seems optimistic about his recovery process.

“So it’ll be surgery and physical therapy for me for the next several months. But I’m committed. I’m committed, and my head is high. Thank you to everyone who has prayed for me, and I love you all. Again, sincere apologies to the fans. I know some of you guys, it was a huge commitment to get out to Madison Square Garden. Hopefully, these other heavyweights, Aspinall and Sergei put on a great show for you guys. I may even show up to the event to watch. But I love you all, and your boy Jon Jones is doing OK. And I’ll be OK. Take care,” the champ concluded.